Influence of traffic loading and weathering effects on chemical and physical properties of asphalt and asphalt mixtures

Abstract

As the development of paved road is going on, natural resources are depleting and using reclaimed asphalt
pavements is not only economical but also it is also corroborating to be very beneficial in preserving natural resources for
future generations. It is a common practice to add a small amount of reclaimed asphalt in construction of flexible pavements
without drastically altering properties such as stiffness and low temperature and thermal cracking of the mix. The use of RAP
improve resistance against rutting and fatigue cracking. The main objective of this study is to assess and analyze the
chemical and physical characterization of aged asphalt mix properties. Initially, asphalt was laid according to the prepared
job mix formula. The RAP and asphalt core samples of both wearing and base surfaces were collected after three years from
the same site. The feasibility of RAP for the use in flexible pavement was tested by physical mix tests and FTIR spectrometer.
The results indicated a slight decrease in strength, durability and overall bitumen content with increase in sulfoxides groups’
concentration.